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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No. 145. If you’ve been forwarded this email and find it useful sign up to get your personal copy here. ([link removed]) You can of course unsubscribe at any time.

PANDEMIC STATS As of today, we had a total of 4,732,434 positive cases of COVID-19 with 128,100 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 6,107 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 239 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 316 active cases in Waverley – a significant increase. But today a study from Cambridge University ([link removed]) has better news: mortality rates are down to less than one in a thousand because the vaccine programme is protecting so many vulnerable people - and even amongst over 75’s the death rate has fallen from 15% to 2%. All this has meant that despite new cases being up by nearly two thirds, hospitalisations are up just 10%. The exact figures are cases ⬆️58.7%, hospital admissions ⬆️10.3%, and, deaths ⬆️72.2%. All data is accurate as of 11am this morning.

VACCINE UPDATE 74,467 people in South West Surrey have now been vaccinated with at least one dose and around 56,591 have had the second. Nationally, 50% of all adults aged under 30 have received their first dose ([link removed]) which is an incredible achievement, making the easing of restrictions on 19 July more likely. Although I have always advocated a cautious approach, freedom day will be a truly joyous moment as I reflected in a wide-ranging interview in the Times here ([link removed]) .

TRAVEL LATEST On Thursday the Transport Secretary added Malta, Madeira, the Balearic Islands as well as several UK overseas territories, and Caribbean islands to the green list ([link removed]) . The changes will apply from 30 June. I appreciate that the number of countries on the green list remains modest, but it is a step in the right direction and all the vibes in Westminster are that if European holidays are stopped it will be because of Angela Merkel rather than Boris Johnson. The Portuguese government announced earlier that from today that unvaccinated Brits arriving in Portugal must quarantine for 14 days ([link removed]) . Full travel list and guidance here
([link removed]) .

SOCIAL CARE, STAFFING & SAFETY Yesterday I appeared on the Andrew Marr Show and was asked about the long-term NHS challenges facing the new Health Secretary. I said that aside from dealing with the pandemic backlog, we should focus on the 3’s: social care, staffing, and safety. Regular readers won’t be surprised to hear me arguing for a 10-year-plan for social care but we also need to overhaul the way we decide how many docs or nurses to train as we now have shortages in nearly every specialty. Also with the maternity scandals brewing in Shrewsbury and East Kent we should continue to prioritise patient safety. Short clip here ([link removed]) , and full interview here ([link removed]) .

THE SAJ IS BACK Congratulations to Sajid Javid on his appointment as Health Secretary - an excellent choice. I worked closely with him for many years and found him smart, decent and (perhaps rarely in the trade) 100% full of integrity. It’s also the best possible news for social care - he 'gets it' from his time at the Department for Communities and Local Government and as an ex-Councillor will negotiate formidably with the Treasury. My Twitter post here ([link removed]) and government press release here ([link removed]) .

The key number to remember for anyone with pandemic-related difficulties remains 0300 200 1008 the Surrey Helpline run by Surrey County Council (Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm).

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER

WESTMINSTER WEEK It was a busy week even before the Matt Hancock news. On the parliamentary stage, we had a long session questioning Health Minister Nadine Dorries about children and young people’s mental health, something that concerns a lot of people in SW Surrey. I also asked Helen Whately about the delays in social care reform. Locally, I spoke to Sam Adcock, our Police Borough Commissioner in Waverley about the anti-social behaviour at Frensham Ponds and the rise in hate crimes locally. I also met Louise Stead, Chief Executive of the Royal Surrey about my forthcoming cancer campaign and also the challenges in their A&E which is now bursting at the seams. Video highlights here ([link removed]) .

GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY Last week I was a witness at the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee chaired by Tom Tugendhat MP. I gave oral evidence on numerous topics including on how the UK and other countries coordinate health and foreign policy and how the UK has drawn on other countries’ experiences of the pandemic. Full transcript of what was a much more thoughtful and strategic session than many select committee sessions can be found here ([link removed]) .

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

JABS, JABS, JABS The Surrey Heartlands vaccination programme is going well and as of last week, 706,036 first dose vaccinations and 498,721 second dose vaccinations were administered. Click here ([link removed]) for a list and map of Surrey walk-in sites, and here ([link removed]) for frequently asked questions about the programme. Once again, a big thank you to the healthcare workers and volunteers working in our local GP sites, Hospital Hubs, Community Pharmacies and the Vaccination Centre.

See my list of local groups working to support vulnerable residents here ([link removed]) .

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

UNION RECOVERY Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have received an additional £28 billion of UK government funding ([link removed]) raised through borrowing and taxes since the commencement of the COVID-19 crisis. The extra money has permitted the devolved governments to support individuals, businesses, and public services throughout the pandemic. Treasury summary video here ([link removed]) .

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON

SWEET NEWS Scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston have shown that eating milk chocolate for breakfast can actually help you lose weight. Excellent news for chocolate lovers - click here ([link removed]) for the biological explanation. How dairy they tell us to have porridge…

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Promoted by Sean Donovan-Smith on behalf of Jeremy Hunt MP and South West Surrey Conservatives, all at 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6TD.

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